Sequenced chamber wave generator controller and method

ABSTRACT

A wave generating apparatus mobile application controller and method is provided in which a mobile controller actuates a plurality of wave generating chambers in sequence using a delay between actuation of each chamber to produce a rideable wave in a pool. The mobile application controller allows the user to select the exact type of wave to be produced by the wave generator apparatus by selecting size, shape, and pattern of the wave. The application also allows the user to use a camera to photograph or record herself or someone else, even while riding a wave.

1.0 TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to wave generators, such as, forexample, wave generators for making waves in pools for recreationalpurposes.

2.0 BACKGROUND

Wave generators are often used for recreational purposes. Wavegenerators create one or more waves in a pool or the like, and peopletypically either play in the waves or use the waves for aquatic sportssuch as board sports. Aquatic board sports, such as surfing andbodyboarding, require that the waves be rideable. Enthusiasts in thesetypes of sports often use wave generators for competition, practice andentertainment.

Existing wave generators typically use wave generating chambers toproduce a wave that travels in a direction where the peak of the wave issubstantially parallel to the chambers and the beach as it travels fromthe chambers toward the beach, and the wave is produced when the wavegenerating chambers (either one chamber or multiple chambers) are allactivated simultaneously, resulting in the water being pushed away fromthe wave generating chambers. The wave then travels away from thechamber until it reaches the opposite end of the pool, breaking at somepoint between the wave generating chamber and the opposite end of thepool. The waves that are created from these chambers, however, alwaysrequire single or multiple chambers to actuate simultaneously in unison.The waves can only be ridden for only a short period of time anddistance because after the wave is created, it begins to decrease inamplitude and quickly becomes unrideable. Japan App. No. 04-037314 (JPOPublication No. 05-202626) discloses a pool that produce waves thattravel in a perpendicular direction from one side toward the other sideof the pool. The side walls of the pool are in a fan shape to allowpersons to ride the wave longer and avoid hitting the wall. Thisapparatus, however, only produces single waves that travelperpendicularly away from generating apparatus until the wave reachesthe opposite end of the pool, and does not teach sequencing. Thatapparatus attempts to provide for a longer ride on the wave by simplyangling the walls in a fan shape, but does not compensate for the wavelosing amplitude and strength.

Other types of wave generating pools use a high velocity sheet of watershot over a bed form in the shape of a wave. These are not “true” waves;rather water shaped into a wave. An example includes U.S. Pat. No.5,236,280 which discloses a “Sheet Flow Water Ride.” There are severalshortcoming with this prior art. First, a conventional surf board withfins cannot be used because the fins would extend too deeply into thesheet flow of water and touch the bed form underneath. Second, the bedform is static, such that only one type of “wave” can be produced.

What is needed is an apparatus that overcomes the shortcomings of theprior art, including providing an apparatus that can create a variety ofrideable waves, and further providing the rider the ability to customizethe wave characteristics—including size, shape, and pattern.

3.0 SUMMARY

What is provided herein is an aquatic sports amusement apparatus thatincludes a pool, a plurality of wave generating chambers thatcommunicate with the pool so as to release water into the pool and amobile application controller that operates the chambers, such that eachchamber in the plurality releases water to create waves. The controllercan be connected to the plurality of chambers via a network connection,such a connection could include a local area network, a wirelessnetwork, the internet and a virtual private network. The controllercould be at a distant location from the pool and chamber complex, andthe controller may be a smart phone, personal computer, personal digitalassistant, laptop and tablet computer.

The controller also may have a graphical user interface (GUI) with awave creation module, a wave ride module and a viewing module. Throughthese modules, users can create wave profiles and graphically modelthese wave profiles before actually creating the wave. The wave profilescan be shared with others. The GUI may also allow the user to videocapture the wave, and then allow the user to view and share that videowith others.

The system can also have a scheduling module to ensure that thecontroller operation of the chambers is based on a single wave profileat a time. This further allows a user to create a wave profile, savethat profile, schedule a time to create and ride a wave based on thatprofile. This minimizes the user's dissatisfaction in waiting for thewave machine to be available, while maximizing the use of the wavemachine with fewer down periods.

Other aspects of the invention are disclosed herein as discussed in thefollowing Drawings and Detailed Description.

4.0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingfigures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating example aspects ofthe invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views. It may be understoodthat certain components and details may not appear in the figures toassist in more clearly describing the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool with sixteen chambers.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of FIG. 1, illustrating one example embodimentof a wave generating chamber in a wave pool.

FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of a control system for controllingoperation of the sequencing of delay between actuating each chamber inthe apparatus in FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool before any of the chambers have been actuated.

FIG. 4 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing the chambers being actuated in sequenceto generate waves.

FIG. 5 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing the chambers being actuated in sequenceto generate waves.

FIG. 6 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing the chambers being actuated in sequenceto generate waves.

FIG. 7 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing the diamond pattern created during thesequence with the diamond patterns linked at the vertices.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one example embodiment of a wavegenerator apparatus in a wave pool showing a considerably hollow barrelwave pitching away from the chambers that is created from the surgeeffect.

FIG. 9 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing the direction that the wave may travel;

FIG. 10 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing multiple directions that the wave canflow depending on the amount of delay in the sequence;

FIG. 11 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing multiple directions that the wave canflow depending on the amount of delay in the sequence.

FIG. 12 is a view from the beach side or the side opposite the wavegenerating chambers of the pool. It shows the progression of the wave asit flows and how the height increases at various instances.

FIG. 13 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool with the side wall extending beyond the wavegenerating chambers.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the size of the wave and the amount of timeit takes the wave to reach that size for a small-scale version of theapparatus with nine chambers.

FIG. 15 illustrates the wave generator apparatus connected to a networkalong with mobile application controllers connected to the network.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart that describes the method for controlling thewave generating apparatus from a mobile application controller.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of the step for creating a waveprofile.

FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the step for creating and modifyinga wave profile.

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the step for creating and modifyinga wave profile.

5.0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following is a non-limiting written description of example embodimentsillustrating various aspects of the invention. These examples areprovided to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice thefull scope of the invention without having to engage in an undue amountof experimentation. As may be apparent to persons skilled in the art,further modifications and adaptations can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by theclaims.

The apparatus disclosed herein in various example embodiments provides asequenced-chamber wave-generating apparatus that may be adapted for usewith aquatic board sports or any other suitable purpose, such asminiature modeling of wave formations. The apparatus overcomes thedeficiencies in the prior art by creating a surging motion in the poolthat changes the characteristics of the waves to create a considerablyhollow barreling wave. The flow of water created by thepresently-disclosed sequencing can resemble a diamond pattern andadditional patterns such as diamonds linked at the vertices. Thesepatterns effectively reduce the depth of the water between successivewaves, which causes them to pitch away from the chambers and create aconsiderably hollow barrel. Additionally, the wave may travel in adirection that is not perpendicular to the wave generating apparatussuch that the wave strength continues to be replenished as the wavesmove across the pool. These are only two examples of waves that the wavegenerator apparatus.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus,which comprises a pool or container 50, a body of water 52, a pluralityof wave generating chambers 54 (each chamber is individually numbered1-16), and a controller 62 to operate the chambers 54. In this exampleembodiment, there are sixteen wave generating chambers 54. Althoughthere is no specifically required number of wave generating chambers 54(other example embodiments include twenty-four and thirty-two chambers,for instance), too few chambers 54 in the apparatus may not be able toproduce sufficient resolution to create a wave that can be ridden. Inone example embodiment, each chamber is 10 feet by 5 feet by 3 feet,giving each chamber a capacity of 150 cubic feet. Other exampleembodiments may have wave generating chambers as big as 260 cubic feetor more. It would be apparent to those skilled in the art to modify thesize and water displacement of the chambers as needed for specificapplications.

The pool 50 may be rectangular shaped and holds the body of water 52.The pool 50 has a first end 58, a second end 60, two sides 44, 46, and afloor 36. The first end 58 is comprised of a plurality of chambers 54adjacent to one another and the second end 60 is at the opposite end ofthe pool where the beach 42 is located. The two sides 44, 46 are atopposite ends of the pool 50. The first end 58, second end 60, and twosides 44, 46 act as walls for to pool 50 to contain the body of water 52along with the floor 36 that is under the body of water 52. The body ofwater 52 rests in the pool 50 and may be in a still state until thechambers 54 begin to actuate in sequence and create a wave using thebody of water 52 in the pool 50.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a single wave generatingchamber 54, which can comprise a chamber space 56 having a back wall 18,an upper wall 20, and a reflecting wall 22 at the rear wall of the poolthat faces the body of water 52 in the pool 50. An example may be thatof U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,396 to McFarland, the same inventor of thepresent application, and the contents of that patent are incorporatedherein by reference. A passageway 30 at the lower end of wall 22 allowscommunication of water between the chamber 54 and the body of water 52in the pool. A mechanical two-way valve 24 may be located in passageway30.

The chambers 54 may be connected to an air supply through inlet valve 26located close to the upper end of the chamber back wall 18 and is alsoconnected to a vent valve 28 in the upper wall 32, which may beconnected to a vacuum pump. The floor 36 of the pool may have a first,upwardly inclined portion 38 extending from passageway 30 away from thewave reflecting wall 22, a generally flat portion 40, and an upwardlyinclined portion or beach 42 at the opposite, second end 60 of the pool50.

In operation of this example embodiment, the chamber 54 is first filledwith air through valve 26, thereby displacing water into the pool 50.Valve 26 is then closed and the chamber air is vented suddenly throughvent valve 28, causing the water 52 to flow from the pool 50 throughpassageway 30 into the now empty space 56 in the chamber 54. The waterlevel in pool drops suddenly, creating a depression or trough in thewater that reflects against the back or wave reflecting wall 22 of thepool 50. This creates a circulating motion of the water, which isenhanced by the design of the back wall 22. The vent valve 28 in the airchamber is shut at the proper time to prevent immediate water resurgenceback into the pool 50, which enhances the second trough behind the peak.The mechanical two-way valve 24 can also be used to prevent immediateresurgence. The water valve 24 may be closed during the initial air fillphase to create a larger air volume in the chamber which, when released,creates a larger depression in the pool. Alternatively, air valve 26 canrapidly supply pressurized air to the chamber after the chamber isfilled with water to push water out and amplify the wave peak. Thisprocess of pushing water out of the chamber and into the pool is knownas releasing water. Alternatively, vent valve 28 may be connected to avacuum source such as a vacuum pump, or may be a vent outlet connectedvia suitable valving either to atmosphere or to a vacuum source.

As illustrated schematically in FIG. 2A, the electronic controller 62may be electrically connected with the valves 26, 28 and 24 in order tocontrol the operation in the manner described above. The controller 62may control this operation for each chamber, such that the controller 62actuates each of the chambers in sequence. The controller 62 may beginby actuating the first chamber or the first set of chambers in theplurality. After a predetermined delay, the controller 62 actuates thesecond chamber or second set of chambers in the plurality, and, afteranother predetermined delay, actuates the third chamber or third set ofchambers in the plurality. This may continue for a fourth chamber orfourth set of chambers, or any number of additional chambers or set ofchambers. The controller 62 continues actuating each chamber in theplurality after a delay. FIG. 2A illustrates that the controller 62controls the valves in each chamber so that after actuating the firstchamber or first set of chambers, it can control the valves in thatchamber or set of chambers and, after a delay, actuate the secondchamber or second set of chambers and control its valves. The controller62 can actuate each chamber in sequence after a delay and control thevalves.

5.1 Diamond Pattern Waves

The wave generator apparatus has the ability to create waves where thepeak of the wave travels in a direction that is substantially parallelto the chambers 54 and the beach 42 as it travels from the chambers 54toward the beach 42. The peak of the wave is defined as the highestwater level in the pool. The direction the peak travels is the path thatthe peak of the wave flows during the life of the wave.

To create the wave, the controller 62 may actuate the chambers 54 in asequence with a delay between actuating each chamber or set of chambers54, as described above. The delay is approximately a fraction of thechamber period. In the present example embodiment a seen in FIGS. 3-6,nine chambers 1-9 are used to produce a wave that can be ridden wherethe peak of the wave is substantially parallel to the chambers 54 andthe beach 54 as it travels from the chambers 54 toward the beach 42.

The wave is created by a surging motion in the pool 50 that changes thecharacteristics of the waves to create a considerably hollow barrelingwave. As seen in FIG. 7, the flow of water created by the sequenceresembles a diamond pattern and additional patterns would resemblediamonds linked at the vertices. This pattern effectively reduces thedepth of the water in the pool 50 between successive waves, which causethe waves to pitch away from the chambers and create a considerablyhollow barrel, as seen in FIG. 8.

By way of example, the sequence may begin with chambers 54 on the edgesof the pool to initiate the first wave segment 105 shown in FIG. 4.Chambers 1-2 and 8-9 actuate to begin the sequence. After the delay, asecond wave segment 110 shown in FIG. 5 is generated in the sequencefrom center chambers between the edge segments (i.e., actuating chambers3-7). The sequence continues to actuate the chambers to generate thefirst and second wave segment steps using the same delay. Therefore, thechambers operate in sequence, not all in unison.

This sequence creates the surging effect 115 in the pool 50 that createsbarreling waves that are more hollow, i.e., the barrel-shaped wave 120preferred by wave riding enthusiasts, as seen in FIG. 8. In otherembodiments, the sequence can begin with the inner chambers and continuewith the outer chambers. For example, the sequence may begin withchambers 54 in the center of the pool initiating a first wave segment.Chambers 3-7 could actuate to begin the sequence. After the delay, asecond wave segment may be generated in the sequence from both sides ofthe first, center wave segment. This could be chambers 1-2 and 8-9.After a delay of the same or similar length, a third wave segment couldbe generated in the sequence from chambers 3-7, for instance. In eitherexample embodiment, the sequence may continue to actuate the chambers togenerate the second and third wave segment steps using the same orsimilar delay. Also, each segment can be produced by a single chamber ortwo or more chambers, and the sequence can include more than twosegments.

Moreover, when multiple adjacent chambers 54 actuate during eachsegment, there can be a secondary delay for each chamber. For instance,using the example sequence seen in FIGS. 4-5, during segment one,chambers 1-2 and 8-9 will all actuate using the primary delay, but withthe secondary delay, they do not have to all actuate simultaneously. Thesecondary delay can actuate chambers 2 and 8 at a very slight delayafter chambers 1 and 9 actuate. This secondary delay can be sequencedwith any chambers within the primary delay sequence.

This type of sequencing can produce waves where the peak of the wave issubstantially parallel to the chambers 54 and the beach 42 as it travelsfrom the chambers 54 toward the beach 42. As seen in FIG. 7, the patternof the waves may resemble diamonds from a top view, and additionalpatterns may resemble diamonds linked at the vertices. The diamondeffect is a result of the multiple wave segments generated in thesequence. This diamond pattern 125 creates a surging motion 115 in theentire pool 50 due to the sequence creating multiple waves 105, 110. Thesurging motion changes the breaking characteristics of waves' naturalflow. Indeed, the diamond pattern 125 reduces the depth of the waterbetween successive waves because the previous wave will push the wateraway from the chambers 54 and towards the beach end 42. This causeswaves to pitch away from the chambers 54 and create a considerablyhollow barrel 120. Additionally, the surge 115 interacts with the wave110 near the end of its break, which increases the wave height oramplitude, just as backwash interacts with waves in the ocean.

The fraction of delay between actuating each chamber 54 or set ofchambers may be proportional to the chamber period. The chamber periodis the time it takes a chamber to release the water and refill to thepredetermined level. To refill, the chamber 54 may permit a fixed amountof water, if any, to reenter the chamber 54. When a chamber completesits period, the chamber is prepared to actuate again. To produce waveswhere the peak of the wave is substantially parallel to the chambers 54and the beach 42 as it travels from the chambers 54 toward the beach 42,the controller operation may actuate each chamber 54 or set of chambers,using a delay, in sequenced fashion. For example, just after the firstsegment (first chamber or first set of chambers) completes the waveproduction portion of its period, the controller 62 may actuate thesecond segment (second chamber or second set of chambers), and it beginsits period. This sequence may be repeated with each segment (chamber orset of chambers) using the same or similar delay, with the controller 62operating the sequencing.

The controller 62 operates the sequenced fashion or sequencing, whichcomprises each chamber in the plurality actuating after a delay andcompleting a chamber period. The chamber period that is used as thedelay by the controller 62 may be approximately one chamber period. Theamount of delay in the sequence can be adjusted to as low as 0.10 of achamber period to adjust the amplitude of the wave and the direction thepeak may travel. The delay may be more than one chamber period. Also,the delay may vary between adjacent chambers.

When a chamber 54 or set of chambers has completed the process ofpushing out the water or air needed to create a wave (for example, afterhalf of the entire chamber period), the subsequent chamber or set ofchambers can activate in the sequence. This allows the waves to continueto flow and create a surging effect. For example, in the exampleembodiment shown in FIGS. 4-5, each chamber period may be completed intwo seconds. Therefore, the delay in the sequence would be set at onesecond, which is half of the chamber period. When each segment iscompleted, a new wave segment is then produced in sequence. While thisexample uses half of the chamber period as the delay in the sequence,similar sequences may be created with timing delays that are sequencedto actuate a chamber 54 or set of chambers during or soon after theprevious chamber's or set of chambers' period.

The amplitude or height of the peak 130 of the wave 110 createdgenerally depends on the size of the wave generating apparatus. However,the surge that is created using the present system increases the heightof the wave over other designs because the surge 115 interacts with thewave 110 near the end of its break, as shown in FIG. 8, e.g. barrelingperspective view following the sequence in FIG. 6. This interactionpushes the wave up to create a higher, bigger wave that tends to havedesirable barreling characteristics.

5.2 Wave Peak that Travels in a Direction Not Perpendicular to the WaveGenerating Apparatus

The wave generator apparatus has the ability to create waves where thepeak of the wave travels in a direction that is not substantiallyperpendicular to the ends of the pool and the chambers, as illustratedin FIG. 9. The peak of the wave is defined as the highest water level inthe pool. The direction the peak travels is the path that the peak ofthe wave flows during the life of the wave. Although the wave may reachthe beach end 42 of the pool opposite the chambers, the wave peak maycontinue to travel in a direction that is not perpendicular to thechambers 54.

To create a wave where the peak travels in a direction that is notsubstantially perpendicular to the chambers 54, the controller 62 mayactuate the chambers 54 in a sequence with a delay between actuatingeach chamber, as described above. The delay is approximately a fractionof the chamber period. In the present example embodiment, sixteenchambers 1-16 are used to produce a wave that can be ridden and the peaktravels not substantially perpendicular to the chambers 54 in directionA.

The sequence starts with chamber 1 and continues sequentially (in lowestto highest numerical order of the chambers) down the plurality ofchambers, which determines the direction of the wave. The wave breaksnearly right out of the chamber, and the break of the wave allows thepeak to travel in a direction not substantially perpendicular to thechambers. Thus, a rider is able to ride the wave over much of the pool'swater surface area. The peak continues until it reaches the side 44 ofthe pool 50. Although the path that the peak of the wave travels is notexactly parallel to the chambers 54, the pool may be constructed suchthat the peak may reach the side wall 44 before the peak could reach theopposite, beach end 42 of the pool. As each chamber actuates, theapparatus replenishes the wave to continue its momentum such that thewave can continue to be ridden.

Immediately after a chamber 54 is activated, it creates a trough in thebody of water 52 by allowing the water to enter the chamber space 56.The trough is created outside of the chamber 54 where the water enteredthe chamber 54. When the chamber 54 pushes or releases the water out tocreate a wave, the water flows into the area previously vacated and isnow a trough. The sequencing allows the wave to travel not substantiallyperpendicular to the chamber 54 and break to create a wave.

The fraction of delay between actuating each chamber may be proportionalto the chamber period. The chamber period is the time it takes a chamberto release the water and refill to the predetermined level. To refill,the chamber 54 may permit a fixed amount of water, if any, to reenterthe chamber 54. When a chamber completes its period, the chamber isprepared to actuate again. To create a peak that travels notsubstantially perpendicular to the chambers 54, in A direction, thecontroller operation may actuate each chamber, using a delay, insequenced fashion. For example, while chamber 1 is in the waveproduction portion of its period, the controller 62 actuates chamber 2and it begins its period. This sequence is repeated with each chamberusing the same delay, with the controller 62 operating the sequencing.

The controller operates the sequenced fashion or sequencing, whichcomprises each chamber in the plurality actuating after a delay andcompleting a chamber period. The fraction of the chamber period that isused as the delay by the controller 62 is approximately between 0.75 and0.10. The amount of delay in the sequence can be adjusted within thisrange to adjust the amplitude of the wave and the direction the peak maytravel. Also, the delay may vary between adjacent chambers.

By way of example only, a delay of 0.25 can create a wave traveling indirection A as illustrated in FIG. 9. The 0.25 delay means that thecontroller 62 may actuate chamber 2 when chamber 1 has completed 0.25 ofits chamber period. Likewise, the controller 62 may actuate chamber 3when chamber 2 has completed 0.25 of its chamber period. This delay maycontinue in the entire sequence.

When a chamber 54 is half of the way completed with the process ofpushing out the water or air needed to create a wave (i.e., 0.25 of theentire chamber period), the subsequent chamber can activate in thesequence. This allows the wave to continue in the desired direction A.For example, in the example embodiment in FIG. 9, each chamber period iscompleted in four seconds. Therefore, the delay in the sequence would beset at one second, which is 0.25 of the chamber period. When the entiresequence is completed, a new wave can then be produced using the samesequence. While this example uses 0.25 of the chamber period as thedelay in the sequence, similar waves can be created with timing delaysthat are sequenced to actuate a chamber 54 when the previous chamber 54is in the process of the wave generating phase of the chamber period.

The amplitude or height of the peak of the wave created generallydepends on the size of the wave generating apparatus. However, usingthis sequencing method, the peak traveling in direction A has anamplitude of nearly twice that of the peak traveling perpendicular tothe chambers 54 in direction C. The peak of the wave may increase as itbuilds through the first few chambers in the sequence until it reachesits maximum height. For example, using chambers 54 that are 150 cubicfeet, the wave reaches about six feet in height. Conversely, a wavewithout sequencing that travels in a direction perpendicular to the wavegenerating chambers 54, in direction C, may reach a height of aboutthree feet.

For example, using a small version of the wave generating apparatus withonly nine chamber yielded the results presented in FIG. 14. When asequence with 0.25 delay is performed, a trough is created at 0.5seconds, and the wave dramatically starts to build at 0.75 seconds,which is roughly when the third chamber is actuated. The wave has a peakof 2 inches at this point, which is a dramatic increase from 0.5 secondswhen the wave size was 0 inches. At about 1.25 seconds, the wave startsto crest just past the third chamber, when the peak reaches 2.5 inches.The wave's peak heightens to 3 inches when it reaches the fourthchamber. This occurs at 1.5 seconds, which coincides with when the sixthchamber is actuated by the controller 62. At 2 seconds, the peak reachesits maximum height of 3.2 inches. Conversely, a wave travelingperpendicular to the chambers 54 has a maximum peak height of only 2inches.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the wave increases in height as it continuesto flow and the chambers 54 continue to push the wave. The wave sizeincreases as a result of each chamber 54 releasing water into the pool,which pushes into the same piece of wave, causing it to amplify. Thesame piece of wave is pushed when the each chamber actuates. Thisprocess continues through the beginning portion of the sequence or firstfew chambers until the wave reaches its maximum height. If there are toofew chambers 54, the wave may not be smooth enough to ride. Likewise, ifthe chambers 54 produce a wave too big, it may be too choppy and notsmooth enough to ride.

The direction of the peak is determined by the delay in the sequencingof the chambers. FIG. 10 illustrates the different directions the peakcan travel depending on the delay between the chambers. For example, ifthere is no delay and each chamber 54 actuates at the same time, thepeak may travel perpendicular to the chambers in direction C towards thebeach 42. When the controller 62 uses sequencing for a delay betweeneach chamber 54, the peak may travel in more of an angled direction inorder of the sequence. Here, in FIG. 10, the sequence starts withchamber 1 actuating, then chamber 2, then chamber 3, and continuing downthe plurality of chambers 54 until chamber 16 actuates. The peak mayflow towards side 44 when this sequence continues.

An increase in the delay sequence may cause the peak to travel in adirection that is more angled towards side 44. For example, a shorteneddelay in the sequence would result in the peak traveling in direction B,which flows more towards side 44. When increasing the delay even more,the peak can travel not substantially perpendicular to the chambers 54towards side 44 in direction A

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the peak can also travel in the otherdirection towards side 46. To do so, the sequence would have to start atchamber 16 and end at chamber 1. A shortened delay between thecontroller 62 actuating the chambers may result in the peak traveling insomewhat of an angle towards side 46, in direction E. A longer delaybetween the controller 62 actuating the chambers can result in the peaktraveling not substantially perpendicular to the chambers in directionD, towards side 46. Also, chambers 16 and 1 could be actuated at thesame time, then the adjacent chamber actuated after a delay, and so on,such that two wave peaks are created one moving in direction D (FIG. 11)and one moving in direction A (FIG. 10).

FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment where the pool 52 extendsbeyond the chambers 54 to form a region 55. This allows the wave tocontinue to travel into the region 55 after the sequence is complete,thus allowing a rider more time to ride the created wave.

5.3 System for Controlling the Wave Generator Apparatus

As discussed above, the wave generator can produce a variety of wavesbecause the sequencing of the individual chambers by the controller. Thecontroller has until now been described as residing at the wavegenerator facility. This however need not be the case. The wavegenerator apparatus may actually be controlled by the user through amobile application controller. The mobile application controller may beused on a variety platforms, such as smartphones (e.g., iPhone, Droid,etc.), tablets (e.g., iPad, Nexus, etc.), laptops, personal digitalassistants and personal computers. Referring to FIG. 15, the controller1510 of the wave generator apparatus 1505 may be connected to theinternet, local area network (“LAN”), virtual private network, wirelessnetwork 1515, and mobile application controllers 1520 and 1525 canactually create wave profiles and control the wave generator apparatus1505. By providing mobile application controllers 1520 and 1525, userscan now create their own wave profiles, download those profiles to thewave generator apparatus 1505 through the internet or LAN 1515, producethe actual wave and ride that wave. Never before has a user been able tocreate a wave and ride that wave. Now they can.

In one embodiment, the interface on the mobile application controllermay include a custom wave profile creator. The user may customize thelag between the chambers of the wave generator apparatus, the actuationof chambers, the sequence of actuation, and experiment with differentwave creations. The interface may also include a wave modeling screensuch that the user can see what the customized wave profile would looklike prior to communicating the wave profile to controller 1410 andproducing an actual wave on the wave generator apparatus 1405. The user,therefore, can create precisely the wave he desires. Moreover, the usercan save the customized wave profiles, such that when the user arrivesat the wave generator apparatus, the user can select that wave profile,execute the profile on the apparatus and ride the wave. Alternatively,he user can create a wave profile and actuate the wave generatorapparatus remotely for someone else to ride. Imagine, creating a customwave and having a professional surfer ride your creation.

One embodiment of the system is shown in FIG. 16. In the first step1605, the user can enter a username and password so as to retrieveprevious wave profiles and videos the user has made. The login step ispreferabe, but optional. After login, the user is asked at step 1610what action he would like to take: enter the wave creation module 1611to create a wave, enter the viewing module 1612 to view a wavevideo/photograph or enter the wave ride module 1613 to ride a wave.

If the user selects create a wave profile, the system enters the wavecreation module 1611 and proceeds to step 1615. The details for thisstep will be discussed below with reference to FIGS. 17-19. It shouldfurther be noted that the user at step 1615 may select a previouslysaved profile or a shared profile to modify. The user may also select apreset profile that the system may offer, and modify that profile. Thisis discussed in greater detail below. Since this is a system wheremultiple devices can be used, the user may have created a wave profileon his personal computer and saved that profile, however, when hearrives at that wave generating facility he may want to make some finaltweaks to the wave profile on this smart phone. The system allows forthis flexibility. After creating the wave profile, the user has theoption at step 1620 to have the application render a computer model ofthe wave profile to fully visualize what the wave will look like (seestep 1620). This is an optional, but preferable step in the system. Theuser then may choose to modify the wave profile by returning to step1615 or save the wave profile at step 1630. The system may then ask atstep 1635 whether the user would like to share this profile withanother, and if the user so desires, the user would enter the emailaddress or other identifying information at step 1640 such that thesystem can transmit the wave profile to that third party. The systemwould then request whether the user would like to create another waveprofile at step 1645, and if so the user is returned to step 1615,otherwise the user may return to step 1610, or may simply log out.

If the user selects at step 1610 to view a video, the system enters theviewing module 1612 and the user must then select which video he wouldlike to view at step 1650. These videos could include videos taken ofthe user riding a particular wave, or video of third parties ridingwaves that have been shared with the user. After viewing the video, thesystem may then ask at step 1660 whether the user would like to sharethis video with another, and if the user so desires, the user wouldenter the email address or other identifying information at step 1665such that the system can transmit the wave video to that third party.Optionally, the system can allow users to assign sharing rights, suchthat a video from a third party cannot be shared if that third party sochooses. The system would then request whether the user would like toview another wave video at step 1670, and if so the user is returned tostep 1650, otherwise the user may return to step 1610, or may simply logout. It should be noted that the language used herein is a video,however, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that stillframe photographs could be captured and used in the system.

If the user selects at step 1610 to ride a wave, the system enters thewave ride module and the user must then select which wave he would liketo ride at step 1675. The user must also select or determine the wavegenerating facility on which the selected wave will be produced andridden. This is shown at step 1680, and may be accomplished by a numberof ways including a pull down menu on the mobile application controller.Another non-limiting example is that the mobile application controllercould use GPS or the network identification codes to automaticallydetermine which facility is closest and use that facility as the one tocreate the wave. At step 1682, the user may also at this time schedule atime with the wave generating facility so that he does not needlesslywait for his opportunity to ride the wave. After selecting the wave, theuser may optionally be asked whether he would like to have the ridevideotaped (or photographed) at step 1685. If so, the user should thendetermine which camera or cameras should be used. For example, the wavegenerator facility may have cameras available and the user's mobileapplication controller may also have a camera. After selecting thecameras the user may then actuate the wave generator apparatus based onthe selected wave profile. Then the system would associate the waveprofile with the video or photographs and post those videos for laterviewing and/or sharing at steps 1694 and 1696. The system would thenrequest whether the user would like to ride another wave at step 1699,and if so the user is returned to step 1675, otherwise the user mayreturn to step 1610, or may simply log out.

It should be noted, that the wave profile can be transmitted andactuated by a user that is remote to the wave generating facility. Thisfeature could be used, for example, to allow surfing fans to createwaves for professional surfers to ride. The fan could see the wave ridein real time. There are countless promotional activities that can berealized using this user defined, remotely actuated, custom wavecreation. It should also be noted that it is not intended that themodules and steps detailed above be in precisely the order described.The order detailed is simply to illustrate the various features of thesystem.

Turning now to FIG. 17, the steps in creating the wave profile will bediscussed. In one embodiment, the system may allow the user to selectonly three attributes of the wave profile—i.e., (1) size, (2) shape, and(3) pattern (i.e., location/direction and peak number). For example atstep 1705, the user would select the size of the wave from small, mediumor large. Then at step 1710 the used selects the shape of the wave:mushy or hollow. And finally at step 1715 the user selects the patternof the wave (i.e., direction, location and number of wave peaks): lefttraveling, right traveling, center peak, double peak, triple peak. Eachof these selections may be discrete, but the graphical user interface ofthe system may provide a slider such that these selections are morecontinuous across a range. After making these selections, the user mayview a computer rendering of the wave profile at step 1620.

FIG. 18 provides a more complex interface that a user may use to createa wave profile. The user may for example, select a present wave profileor may use the interface describe with reference to FIG. 17 to create awave profile. The interface could then represent that wave profile on atwo dimensional graph 1805 with the chamber numbers on one axis 1810 andtime on the other axis 1815. The wave profile may be represented as anumber of blocks 1820 wherein the left size of the block represents thetime along the time axis when that particular chamber is actuated, andthe length of the block is the magnitude of the water expelled by thatparticular chamber. So the present wave profile of blocks 1820 provideinstructions to actuate first chamber 1, then after a delay chamber 2,then after a delay chamber 3, then after a delay chamber 4 and finallyafter a delay chamber 5. And each actuation of each chamber is of thesame magnitude. The user may then choose to add other chambers toactuate. For example, on a smartphone application this may entailtouching an icon of a block 1825 and dragging it (as shown by arrow1830) to an appropriate location to actuate chamber 6. After makingthese selections, the user may view a computer rendering of the waveprofile at step 1620.

FIG. 19 illustrates that not only can the user add new chamberactuations, but the user can also move, modify and delete existingchamber actuations. Again, the user as shown in FIG. 19 starts with aprofile shown by the gray blocks, with chambers 1 and 9 actuatingsimultaneously, then after a delay chambers 8 and 2 actuatingsimultaneously, then after a delay chambers 7 and 3 actuatingsimultaneously, then after a delay chambers 6 and 4 actuatingsimultaneously and finally after a delay chamber 5 actuating. The usermay choose to delay the actuation of chamber 9 by moving the block alongthe arrow labeled 1905. The user also chooses to delay the actuation ofchamber 8 by moving the block along the arrow labeled 1910. The useralso shortens the length of the actuation block of chamber 8 (shown atposition 1915) so chamber 8 will not expel as much water. The user alsodesires to add an actuation of chamber 7 with the same magnitude as thatof chamber 8 as shown at position 1920. Finally the user adds a largermagnitude actuation of chamber 6 at position 1925. The interface mayaccomplish these movements, modifications and deletions by allowing theuser to drag existing actuations blocks to new locations, and byallowing a user to modify the magnitude of a block by touching thatblock on the screen and setting the size (with the size of zerorepresenting a deletion). After making these selections, the user mayview a computer rendering of the wave profile at step 1620.

As described above, several users can share their wave profiles. Forexample, if a professional surfer creates a particular wave profile,other can following in their footsteps and attempt to ride that wave.This creates a community of surfers and promotes competition that isvery alive in the surfing community. Users can also attempt to improveupon wave profiles that have been shared.

The system may also have a scheduling module such that a user can createand submit a particular wave profile and schedule a time to ride thatwave. This is shown in FIG. 16 step 1682. This minimizes the user'sdissatisfaction in waiting for the wave machine to be available, whilemaximizing the use of the wave machine with fewer down periods.

The above description of the disclosed example embodiments is providedto enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention.Various modifications to these example embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdescribed herein can be applied to other example embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to beunderstood that the description and drawings presented herein representa presently preferred example embodiment of the invention and aretherefore representative of the subject matter which is broadlycontemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that thescope of the present invention fully encompasses other exampleembodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and thatthe scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothingother than the appended claims.

1. A method of creating a rideable wave in a pool, the pool having aplurality of wave generating chambers that communicate with the pool soas to release water into the pool, the method comprising: a. providing amobile application controller that operates the chambers such that eachchamber in the plurality releases water to create waves, the controllerfurther having a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI furthercomprises a wave creation module adapted to create a wave profile; b.creating a wave profile on the GUI; c. actuating a first chamber orfirst set of chambers in the plurality to release water into the poolbased on the wave profile; e. during step (c) actuating a second chamberor second set of chambers in the plurality to prevent the release waterinto the pool based on the wave profile; and d. after a delay, actuatingthe second chamber or second set of chambers in the plurality to releasewater into the pool based on the wave profile.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the GUI is operated by dragging and dropping icons, the methodfurther comprising : dragging and dropping icons as part of creating thewave profile.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the GUI represents thechambers as icons and the icons can be moved along an axis of time, themethod further comprising: moving the icons along the time axis tocreate a particular sequence for actuations of the chambers; creating awave profile based on the sequence.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe step of creating a wave profile further comprises: generating agraphical model of the wave based on the wave profile.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the step of creating a wave profile further comprises;modifying the wave profile after generating the graphical model.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: sharing the wave profile with aspecified entity.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:providing a video capture device; capturing a video of the actuation ofthe chambers.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: sharing thevideo with a specified entity.